Best Engagement Session Locations in Boulder, Colorado
Why Boulder for your engagement session?
There’s nothing that Boulder doesn’t have, and you can get some epic views that you otherwise don’t find unless you trek up I-70 for the day. Whether you want to cuddle up in a coffee shop for a lifestyle session, or head up into the foothills on a hiking trail, this guide has you covered with tons of options!
Of course, most folks looking for mountain views in Boulder want that epic panoramic view of the Flatirons, and fortunately there’s a ton of spots to take it all in. If you want to look past the Flatirons out into the Rockies, just head up Flagstaff Mountain and stop off at some of the amazing viewpoints on the way, like Lost Gulch.
Here’s the tricky thing about photographing in Boulder: Permits. Almost everywhere requires one, which means as a photographer you have to do some paperwork and submit your insurance information to the appropriate parks department. I’ve listed the department of the city that each location runs permits through to make it easier, but make sure your photographer gets this taken care of ahead of time. No one wants to run into a grumpy park ranger or get fined at the beginning of an engagement session!
One other note before you dive in! Boulder hiking trails are mobbed by tourist traffic, photographers, and avid hikers from all over Colorado. If you visit one of the outdoor spots on this list, follow posted signs that ask you to avoid areas for wildlife, and STAY ON THE TRAILS. It can be tempting to run through the fields to get to the best viewpoint, but that damages the gorgeous parks properties and results in harsher rules and trail closures so that no one can enjoy the magic of our outdoor spaces.
Hopefully this list helps you find an amazing spot for an engagement session, and if you still need a photographer, you can hit me up here!
Chautauqua Park
Boulder’s most iconic view
If you’ve ever lived in Boulder, this spot holds a special place in your heart! There’s something magical about standing at the base of the incredible Flatirons.
- Permit Info: Boulder OSMP
- Trails up into the forest and around the base of the rock formations
- Parking lot, and street parking available–busy during summer on the weekends
Lost Gulch Overlook
Rocky overlook with mountain views
Nothing’s quite like the clifftop view over the mountains that you get at Lost Gulch. Not for those who are nervous around heights.
- Permit Info: Boulder OSMP
- Short trail up to to the overlook where you can climb on the rocks for the best view
- Small parking lot–very busy weekends at sunset
Pearl Street Mall
Boulder’s cute little city walking mall
A brick walking mall surrounded by cute alleyways, coffee shops, and breweries! Pearl Street makes a great city photo setting in the summertime when all the trees or blooming, or in the winter when it’s lit up at night!
- Permit Info: City of Boulder
- Fun street views, architecture, and mural walls
- Paid street parking around the mall, limited street parking elsewhere
Flatiron Vista Trail
Less crowded trail with open fields and views
Want the views without the crowd? If you’re up for a bit more of a hike, the views payoff at this spot, and it’s much less crowded than Chautauqua.
- Permit Info: Boulder OSMP
- Open fields, mountain views, cows if you’re lucky
- Parking lot at the trailhead, with an overflow lot about 1/4 mile away
South Mesa Trail
Gorgeous trailhead that has it all
Just south of Boulder, this trailhead has stunning fall colors, views out to the Flatirons, and a bridge crossing a river. It looks absolutely perfect at golden hour as the sun goes down over Eldorado Springs.
- Permit Info: Boulder OSMP
- Trees, grassy fields, mountain views, bridges, and water views
- Parking lot with an overflow lot across the road
Davidson Mesa
Epic Panoramic Flatiron Views
Just outside Boulder in Lousiville, this spot boasts an epic mountain range view with the Flatirons in the foreground.
- Permit Info: City of Louisville Open Space
- Features long grass and mountain views and access to Harper Lake
- Parking lot and overflow parking across McCaslin
Eben G. Fine Park
Park with Boulder Creek Access
Full of slackliners, frisbees, and sunbathers during warm summer afternoons, this park is tucked into West Boulder and has easy access to the creek and gorgeous trees.
- Permit Info: Boulder City Park Property
- Features water, bridges, grassy fields, and trees
- Two parking lots accessed via Arapahoe & Canyon
Walden Ponds
Birdwatchers paradise, but great views and ponds
Gorgeous ponds and cottonwoods with wide trails in between them. A quiet birdwatching retreat with views out to Boulder.
- Permit Info: Boulder OSMP
- Features water, grassy fields, and trees
- Multiple trailhead parking lots around the area
Boulder Reservoir
Water, mountains, and dog friendly
One of the best spots if you’re looking for a mountain view over water, without going up I-70. If you want to play in the water, this is a great place to do it!
- Permit Info: OSMP Boulder or Boulder Reservoir
- Features water, mountains, grassy fields, and dog-friendly trails
- Main parking lot at Boulder Reservoir (need to pay entrance fee) and other trailhead parking outside the reservoir itself
Breweries in Boulder
Use a Brewery for your Engagement
I think breweries make a great backdrop for a more “lifestyle” engagement photo experience. You can grab some beers and cuddle up! There are some great breweries in the Boulder area with a lot of character, fun murals, and even barcade games, to set your engagement photos apart from the rest.
- The Rayback (has coffee in the mornings, too)!
- Wild Provisions Beer Project
- Sanitas Brewing Co.
- Avery Brewing Company
- Gubarrel Brewing Company (has pinball machines!!)
Coffee Shops in Boulder
Use a Coffee Shop for your Engagement Session
Like breweries, coffee shops are a fun and unique option for your engagement photos in Boulder. If you want a more relaxed feel, something to do with your hands, and if being out in nature just isn’t “you,” hanging out and drinking a cuppa might just be the thing. Since coffee shops can be short on space, I recommend going during off hours, and getting permission from them beforehand. I often also offer some of the detail shots from the session to the shop after the fact!
These are some of the coffee shops in Boulder I’d recommend reaching out to! They aren’t the busiest coffee shops that you may have heard of in central Boulder, but that’s not ideal for a session. You want somewhere with more space that’s a little more private.
- Amante Coffee (Baseline Location)
- Bona Coffee Roasters
- OZO Coffee | Roastery Cafe & Lab (at 55th and Central Ave.)
Boulder’s surrounded by some other small towns as well, and there are some really cute coffee shops there too. Lafayette and Louisville particularly have some great spots that I recommend considering, too.
Photo Studios to Rent in Boulder
Use a studio for your Engagement Session
There’s something about a gorgeous clean backdrop with window light in a photo. These spaces get it! Renting a studio for your engagement photos can give you a clean, modern, elevated look to your photos that is hard to get in a natural light setting out in the world. There are a few great studios you can rent by the hour or day in Boulder. It’s generally best to have your photographer reach out to the studio to make the connection and make sure the space is equipped appropriately for what you need.
Hourly Rental Homes in Boulder
Not just for Airbnb, you can rent homes for shoots, too!
Is your dream for your engagement photos a cute, cuddly lifestyle session in a home but you don’t want to clean your house or don’t have a room you love? Check these spaces out! People with gorgeous homes have listed them on Home Studio List for you to rent for your session, just like Airbnb or VRBO. You’ll generally want to budget between $150 and $300 for a dedicated space in a home for your session.
Here’s some of my favorite listings from Boulder:
Thanks for taking a look through this post! I hope it helped you brainstorm locations, and feel free to reach out to me if you have any questions about the places, or about doing a session together.